Question about lead replacement and recovery

Hi everyone,
Have had two pacemaker generator changes since 1999. I have had lots of symptoms over the year without any diagnostic results. Recently I was told my impedance is 200. I need to schedule a wire replacement. THe MD is going to meet with me after holidays. Can anyone discuss how their surgery went and the recovery...

I have a dual chamber but just the atrial wire is going. Worried the ventricular wire will be next. Do they every replace both. My vent paces 100 percent of the time...atrial paces and senses.

I am assuming I won't be able to lift for a few weeks ( have three grandchildren)... My job entails lifting.....what about driving. I can't remember what the recovery was like. I am hoping I feel better after this...it's been a rough course.

This year my valves are also showing regurg...moderate....no ventricle changes pages though......no MD has discussed with me. had to see this on my report and then ask questions. Is been very frustrating and not sure I trust them.

Thanks in advance for any info on the recovery. I am not sure how urgent this is but would like to wait until the end of January as my work schedule is extremely busy!!!

Happy holidays to all.....

7 Comments

depends

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-16 02:12:17

It depends on your dr, your age, the size of your veins, your preferences. Some drs like to extract and start over with new everything. Some try to add to what's there.

I had a lead that went bad. I had a venogram to see how much room was in the vein. There was plenty so I chose to simply add the new lead on top of what's there rather than extract. The old one was capped off, it's still in there. If it hadn't fit, we talked about running it from the other side vs extraction.

Recovery was the same as the first implant, watch the arm and minimal lifting for 6 weeks. I was able to drive right away.

If it's not the lead you use or even if it is the one you use but it's still functioning, you can probably put it off. Mine was still working but they had to turn it up to get the signal through so it killed the battery quickly, the original estimated 7 years ended up being only 2. I waited until the battery died and did both at the same time. It's was my ventricular lead, the one I use 100% of the time. It kept me going for several years after I was first told it needed replaced.

If you need to have an extraction, find someone who does a minimum of 100 per year. It's much safer than it was even a few years ago but you still want someone very specialized doing it.

Concur

by Bill777 - 2012-12-16 02:12:37

with TraceyE's comment. Had my leads fully extracted and replaced a year ago with no problem - also done at the same time as pacer replacement. Several issues can arise, to include infection and excessive bleeding. Concur in finding someone who does a lot of these and has a very good track record.

I to have issues

by colin2 - 2012-12-16 05:12:13

Had my third 'box' replacement in June, lead problems afterwards led to lead replacement in October. Single lead replaced two previous, old ones left in. 6 months off driving legally. UK could be very different but I still have problems, water in lungs, shortage of breath, PM alarm firing off and no understandable responses from Techs or Medics.

Thanks

by pacer60 - 2012-12-16 10:12:43

I just had my generator hanged two years ago...I didn't this will drain the battery.

good question for the MD to fin out how many h has done.

I am planning on doing lots of busy work while home..

I do a lot of driving so think I will do limited duty!!! better to be safe in this process.

I love to exercise and will do lots of walking....

take care everyone....

Also

by PacerRep - 2012-12-17 02:12:29

If your not pacing with your atrial wire, ask them to program it to "unipolar" if you have a coaxial designed lead vs. a coradial then this will solve your problem.

Extractions

by PacerRep - 2012-12-17 02:12:44

With as old as your wires are, it could be very dangerous to extract these, If it's an option go Tracey's route and just add a new one and cap the other. If they are going to extract, just get them both taken out and have 2 new ones put in....but avoid it if possible, its a big big deal.

PR

by paceshock - 2012-12-19 05:12:42

Lead extractions are more and more common and performed in many institutions. Ask your doctor who he/she knows who has performed this procedure successfully in your area. Putting a new v-lead in along with the existing wires is also a common practice that I've seen performed many times.

Since you are dependent in the ventricle with a 200 ohm impedance, you don't want to take any chances not having the lead replaced. The acceptable impedance is between 250-1500+/- ohms (approximately).

If the atrial lead is functioning fine then don't even worry about it at all. That's why you have your pacer checked regularly - to see if any anomolies are present and whether anything needs adjusting and/or replacement. If your follow-ups have been normal regarding the A-lead then it's fine.

You should have an overnight stay after the surgery and go home the following day providing no other complications are discovered.

Baby that arm on the side of the implant for a couple weeks!!

Best of luck.

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Member Quotes

A properly implanted and adjusted pacemaker will not even be noticeable after you get over the surgery.